Learn More and ApplyDecision Analytics (BA)

Menu

SCPS2

The Bachelor of Arts in Decision Analytics degree from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) is an interdisciplinary degree dedicated to the collection, analysis and communication of Big Data, a term used to reflect the challenging complexities and dynamic nature of large data sets today. Decision analysts have a keen sense of data and are able to apply critical reasoning to both qualitative and quantitative data in context. They are able to ask the right questions and formulate problems to facilitate analysis. As such, they are able to understand the organization from a systems perspective. They are comfortable learning new technologies in this dynamic field, particularly database, statistical and visualization software. They also excel in working collaboratively, dealing with ambiguity, creative problem solving, and communication skills.

The BA in Decision Analytics has a strong industry orientation that is specifically geared to provide students with the knowledge and skills they can apply in jobs they hold today and to enable them to advance in their careers.

This major is designed for working adult students and provides:

  • Flexible scheduling including online options available
  • Financial Aid, flexible payment options, and special adult student tuition pricing
  • Acceleration and affordability through transfer credit and prior learning assessment (PLA) credit
  • Opportunities to combine bachelor's and master’s programs and apply graduate courses to both programs
  • Individualized program planning, course selection and advising assistance provided
  • Enhanced career opportunities through professional portfolio development, and career placement services instruction from industry practitioners, and wide-ranging Career Services support
  • Degree granted by DePaul University, with its excellent academic reputation and the opportunity to join its prestigious and extensive alumni network
Program Requirements Quarter Hours
College Core Requirements 78
Major and Concentration Requirements 68
Open Electives 46
Total hours required 192

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Select and apply data analysis strategies to clarify situations.
  • Identify patterns and relationships in data.
  • Evaluate decisions based on logical analysis of data.
  • Investigate problems using qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Apply ethical principles in context.
  • Apply various methods of communication in multiple settings.
  • Analyze and apply different liberal arts perspectives.

College Core (78 credits, 20 credits in residence):

Lifelong Learning Requirements (32 credits, 16 credits in residence):

Course Title Quarter Hours
LL 201REFLECTIVE LEARNING 12
or RPL 101 PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
LL 305ACTIVE CITIZENS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, WORKPLACE WORLD
LL 205QUANTITATIVE REASONING4
or LL 206 ADVANCED MATH FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
LL 261ESSAY WRITING4
LL 270CRITICAL THINKING4
LL 290RESEARCH WRITING 14
LL 301RESEARCH METHODS 16
LL 302EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PRACTICUM 14

 Liberal Learning Requirements (46 credits, 4 credits in residence):

  • Liberal Arts in Action Requirement: CCA 281CCH 281CCS 281 or courses with LA1 designation, 6 credits
  • CORE CURRICULUM ARTS & IDEAS, courses with the CCA, AL, PI, or RD requirement designations, 12 credits
  • CORE CURRICULUM HUMAN COMMUNITY, courses with the CCH, SCBI, or HI requirement designations, 12 credits
  • CORE CURRICULUM SCIENTIFIC WORLD, courses with the CCSW, SI, SILB, or SISK requirement designations, 12 credits
  • IN 307 INTEGRATIVE LEARNING, 4 credits 1
1

Must be completed in residence.

Major Requirements (68 credit hours)

 40 credit hours must be completed in residence in the major, including FA 199 and LL 303.

Professional Studies Core (20 credits, 8 credits in residence)

Course Title Quarter Hours
CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
FA 199CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING 12
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
DCM 330PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE
ETHICS OR SOCIAL JUSTICE, courses with the PSES requirement designation. Choose one of the following:
DCM 317ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS2
DCM 318SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE PROFESSIONS2
CREATIVITY OR INNOVATION, courses with the PSCI requirement designation. Choose one of the following:
CCA 170CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP2
DCM 319CREATIVITY AND INNOVATIVE THINKING2
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES, courses with the PSGP requirement designation. Choose one of the following:
CCH 283GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES OF WORK & FAMILY4
CCH 300GLOBALIZATION AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE4
CAPSTONE PROJECT
LL 303CAPSTONE PROJECT 16
1

Must be completed in residence.

Decision Analytics Courses (24 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
MAT 130FUNCTIONS AND MATHEMATICAL MODELS
DA 200DATA ANALYTICS
DA 233APPLIED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
DSC 323DATA ANALYSIS AND REGRESSION4
IT 223DATA ANALYSIS4
IT 240INTRODUCTION TO DATABASES4

 Concentration Requirements (24 credit hours)

Students must also complete the requirements from either the General or Computing concentrations.

​Concentrations, tracks and specializations provide focus to the major. In addition to any college core requirements, liberal studies requirements and major requirements, students are required to choose one of the following: